Animesou.com

Best Action - Final Fantasy: Advent Children (import)

Yes, I know it didn’t hit U.S. shores yet but it should be here early 2006. It’s just so good that I can’t ignore it. The fight scenes in this are just so amazing it blows every other action sequence I’ve seen, right out the water. I just constantly said “Oh my gosh now how could they fathom puttin moves like that in there!” LOL well not really but I said wow allot.
Runner Up: Mezzo DSA

Best Drama - Marmalade Boy

The battle for best drama was a drama in itself. It was a toss up between Boys Over Flowers and Marmalade Boy. For every dramatic twist I could think of one, the other had an equal counter scene. After a huge tug of war, one of these titles pulled at my heart strings just a bit more. Marmalade Boy!
Runner Up: Boys Over Flowers

Most Emotional - Marmalade Boy

There were just so many characters that you genuinely felt far in this series. It was a roller-coaster ride.
Runner Up: Boys Over Flowers

Most Ecchi Humor - Colorful

Flipping through the channels late one night, I come across an anime called Colorful. After viewing I came to the conclusion that the entire half hour was about cleavage. I watched again and it was about cleavage. Now the third time it was about cleavage and panties…I think you get my drift. If this wasn’t Ecchi then I don’t know what else could be. It left me wondering, do guys get nosebleeds every time they catch a glimpse of undergarments?

Best Comedy - Maison Ikkoku

Godai, Kyoko, and their annoyingly nosy but lovable tenants add up to some really funny shenanigans. The life of a ronin (an undergrad) has never been so much fun. I’m mean really; you’ll crack a smile even if your dog just died.
Runner Up: Full Metal Panic! Fumoffu

Weirdest - Paranoia Agent

Once in a while I come across a title that makes me question my sanity. First it was Lain, then it was Boogiepop. This year Paranoia Agent did exactly that. The Story unraveled like a great mystery, then more into a WTF!? state of mind, then back into the solution to the mystery. I never thought a kid with a bat and rollerblades could be an antagonist of mayhem. Boy was I wrong!

Worst Anime - Please Twins!

I swear, if I hear ‘we could be strangers’ again, I will flip out. Never have I heard such a nonsensical phrase that meant nothing repeated so many times that it became the basis of an entire series… two to four episodes maybe, but not the whole thing. It really wore thin. Never before have I seen a spin off fall from grace this hard. Please Teacher was Coca-Cola Classic. Please Twins was New Coke.
Runner Up: The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Dishonorable Mention:: Street Fighter Alpha: Generations

Best Kiddy Anime - Inu Yasha

This long running series airing on Cartoon Network will keep the kiddies occupied for a long time. Buying the DVDs for them can put a hurtin on your wallet though.
Runner Up: One Piece

Best Manga - ????
I didn’t read any new manga this year so I’ll leave this for the other editors. You found me out…I’m illiterate.

Best DVD Covers - Samurai Champloo

The covers of all of the DVD’s are just oozing with style.

Best Seinen - Maison Ikkoku

If Maison Ikkoku was re-released every year then it would win best seinen every year hands down. That’s how near and dear I hold this romantic comedy. It’s the pinnacle of the genre. You owe it to yourself to experience all this title has to give.
Runner Up: Marmalade Boy
Honorable Mention: Boys Over Flowers

Best Shounen - Gantz

It’s a very odd take on the after life. After you die only then does it become a game of life or death. Gantz isn’t your average alien exterminator show. It’s about survival man!

Favorite Voice Actor/Actress - Hilary Haag (Teletha Testarossa, “Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu”)

She has a very interesting and unique voice and comes off flawlessly regardless of her role, whether it’s Teletha from Full Metal Panic or Nene from Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040. She gets my pick for voice actress of the year.

Most Kawaii Character (Cutest) - Momo-san (Samurai Champloo)

This cute l’il flying squirrel was begging for this award. Wit those cute wittle eyes I couldn’t possibly say no.
Runner Up: Nyu (Elfen Lied)

Best Anime Site - Animeagency.com
We didn’t do our cross promotion for nothing. Anime Agency is a great message board with a fine community. Go have a chat. Check ‘em out!
Of course Animesou is the best, but there are other sites out there.

Best New Series - Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied takes this one. When I first heard about it, I thought it would just be gratuitous violence. I was wrong. It was gratuitous violence with great character build up. Just the moments when you say, ‘I can’t believe they did that!’ make this one a stand out.
Runner Up: Samurai Champloo

Best Animation - Final Fantasy: Advent Children (import)

As much as I love traditional hand drawn art, computer graphics won me over this year. Final Fantasy: Advent Children is astoundingly beautiful. There is no question about it. Just watch any of the action scenes and you’ll agree hands down that this is the best animation of 2005. It’s an early candidate for best of ‘06 in the U.S.
Runner Up: Elfen Lied

Movie of the Year - Final Fantasy: Advent Children (import)

Final Fantasy: Advent Children is what Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within should have been. I just wish it got the commercial backing that that movie got, theatrical release and all. True, if you didn’t play Final Fantasy VII then this would get the title of ‘Popcorn Movie’. But what a popcorn movie it is! It goes to show you that computer rendered characters don’t have to be soulless zombies. They can be entertaining. That’s what movies should be right?
Runner Up: Appleseed (2005)

Sleeper Hits - Peacemaker Kurogane

A title I found interesting was Peacemaker. I’m a huge fan of Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin) and this is the tale of their enemies. It’s funny how which perspective you see it from determines the good guys. Gonzo comes through on the animation as always. That an interesting plot and characters makes this worth a look. If you missed it, Peacemaker is available in a new thinpak box set from ADV. Now there’s no reason for you to miss it.
Runner Up: Mezzo DSA

Must Have - Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo gets the must have nod because it has something for everyone. Action, comedy, drama, you name it, it’s there. Just like you couldn’t go wrong with Cowboy Bebop, you can’t go wrong with this. If you like or know someone who likes Anime then get Samurai Champloo. It’s as simple as that. You won’t be disappointed. The Champ-loo is here!!!
Runner Up: Elfen Lied
Honorable Mention: Full Metal Alchemist

A Look to the Future - Blood Trinity and Blood +

2006 looks like a bloody good year indeed! See you on the animesou boards.